32 survivors and two dead bodies were pulled from the sea near Italy, but up to 71 migrants remain missing. This is one of the worst ship accidents this year.
Crews from two merchant ships rescued 32 migrants in distress trying to reach Europe from Libya over the Easter weekend in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy. They also pulled two bodies without signs of life from the water. Another 71 people are missing, humanitarian organizations Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
The rescued migrants and both bodies were taken over by the Italian Coast Guard and transported to the island of Lampedusa. Survivors claimed that there were originally 105 people on the ship, but most of them drowned after the accident. Italy’s interior ministry declined to comment on the information, and the coast guard did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.
The number of victims rose
Sailing in the Mediterranean is often complicated by adverse weather conditions this year. Thanks to them, the number of migrants who embark on the dangerous journey to Europe from North Africa is lower at this time than in previous years. At the same time, the number of victims among those who nevertheless embark on it has increased.
According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 683 migrants have died in the Mediterranean this year, which is one of the highest numbers since systematic recording began in 2014. However, experts believe that the true number of victims is significantly higher.
